Until the Sun Burns Out (5 page)

“You kicked the ball right between my legs.”

“That’s allowed.”

His eyes widened. “When I wasn’t ready?”

I grinned. “Hey, it’s not my fault if you weren’t prepared.”

Austin leaned forward, placing his elbows on the table. His gaze crashed into mine, those crazy blue eyes of his sparkling. Once again I was struck with how surreal this was. A guy this good-looking had never hung out with me before. But the weirdest part was that I felt comfortable around him. Sure, he made my heart beat fast and my hands clam up. And, okay, at first he had turned me into a bit of a klutz. But today I’d held my own. I’d played a mean game of soccer. I’d bantered and teased, held an interesting conversation. Usually cute guys had the magical ability to turn me into a bumbling idiot, and at first Austin had done the same thing.

Then again, maybe my newfound comfortability had to do with the fact that Austin only wanted friendship from me. He may have been slightly flirty, but it was clear that he thought of me as nothing more than a friend. To him I was a summer kid, a person he could kill time with until he got back home. And I was okay with that. I’d been lonely too. It worked out well for both of us.

“Do you cheat like this on your high school soccer team?” he asked.

I giggled. “I don’t cheat at all. Anywhere.”

Crossing his arms over his chest, he shook his head. “I don’t buy it.”

Luca shuffled into the room wearing jeans and a t-shirt, a baseball cap on his head.

Austin turned to him with a smile.
Uh-oh
. I was starting to read Austin pretty well, and that grin could only mean something bad. “Hey, bud?”

“Yeah?” Luca stepped forward, eyes alight. I could tell Luca already liked Austin. And I got it. He was older than Luca, and charming. 

“Tell me the truth. Does your sister cheat when she plays soccer on her high school team?”

Luca glanced at me briefly, and my stomach tightened. I knew where this was headed. “Not that I know of. But it doesn’t matter. She’s not playing this year.”

“Is that so?” Austin tossed me a curious expression.

I glared at Luca. He held my gaze for a minute before looking down at the ground. Then he mumbled something unintelligible and hurried from the room. I felt a little bad for scaring him off, but he deserved it. There was no reason for him to air my dirty laundry to Austin.

“Why are you quittin’ soccer, summer girl?”

Instead of answering, I turned the question around on him. “Why don’t you play basketball anymore?”

“I asked you first,” he said. “Besides, for all you know I’m horrible at basketball. But I’ve seen you play soccer. You’re good, and you love it. So spill.”

I sighed, my gaze momentarily flickering towards Dad’s office. “It was something I did with Dad, but now that he’s here and I’m there, it’s just not the same.” It was weird to share this with Austin. We hardly knew each other. But for some reason it felt right to say it, safe even. Maybe because there was no chance of him spreading it around. He didn’t know any of my friends. And I doubted we’d ever connect again after the summer. But I suspected it was more than that. Beneath all the joking and mock arrogance, there was a genuinely nice guy, and I trusted him.

Pity splashed across his face, but it quickly faded as if he knew that was the last thing I wanted from him. “Grades,” he blurted out. “My grades slipped, so I had to quit the team.”

I cringed. It was obvious from his tone that he wasn’t happy about it, and nothing I could say would make it better. As we sat in silence, something hit me. Nobody’s life is perfect. When I’d first seen Austin with his family, I’d felt irrational jealousy at what I assumed was a life devoid of issues. But clearly he had experienced pain and disappointment just like I had. Maybe not in an identical way. But pain was pain, right?

However, even in the midst of him losing the sport he loved, he managed to enjoy his life and make the best of it. From the moment I met him, he exuded fun. I wanted to be more like that. Perhaps the more I hung out with him, the more it would rub off on me.

The next two weeks flew by. Austin and I spent almost every day together. We bodysurfed, hung at the beach, went into town for ice cream, and played soccer at the park a few more times. Dad even seemed to like him being around. Then again, it did make things easier on Dad. Ever since Austin and I became friends, I’d been happier, less argumentative. Plus, I’d been playing soccer, and that was something Dad constantly encouraged me to do.

Luca acted like Austin was his friend, but Austin was a good sport about it. He’d even played video games with Luca a couple of times. At first I was irritated, but when I saw how happy it made Luca I softened. Besides, it gave me a chance to answer the million texts Grace sent me every day.

They were all the same. She wanted information about Austin. Her summer wasn’t exactly going as planned. Once Ava and Brody started dating, she became the third wheel. Therefore, she was now living vicariously through me.

I gave her as much information as I could, but I hadn’t been able to get up the courage to send a picture yet. Not because I didn’t want her to see what he looked like. If anything, I desperately wanted to show him off. If she was jealous at the idea of him, she’d die when she saw what he looked like. There was no way my descriptions did him justice.

The real reason I hadn’t sent a picture was because I didn’t have one. The other day when he and Luca were playing in the waves, I held up my phone with the intention of sneaking a picture. But then Austin’s head bobbed up and he glanced at me. Embarrassed, I pretended I was taking a selfie. I even did the stupid duck face as if to make it more believable. Later I wished I’d chosen a different excuse since Austin teased me endlessly about the fact that I spent my afternoon sitting on the beach taking selfies.

“Let me see them,” he’d teased, trying to snatch my cell phone out of my hand. “I want to see what you spent your afternoon doing.”

When I wouldn’t let him, he said, “What’s wrong? Have you not perfected the duck face yet? Cause I can help you with that if you want.” Then he’d chased me around my house, puckering up his lips. It was supposed to be funny. Dad and Luca sure thought it was. To me it looked like he was trying to snag a kiss, and it only drove home the realization that I would’ve liked him to.

As much as I tried to convince myself that I was okay with a strictly platonic relationship, deep down I’d always known that was bull. How could I have been okay with it? He was the most gorgeous guy I’d ever seen, and for some reason he chose to hang out with me. It was crazy and wonderful and confusing all at once.

But I was determined to shove my feelings away. It was counterproductive anyway. I wasn’t allowed to date, and, besides, Austin wasn’t asking me to.

Grace only became more insistent about the picture though. She’d even started saying that by not sending a picture I was basically confirming that he was ugly. This lit a fire in my belly. I had to show her. I had to prove her wrong.

I wasn’t sure why it was so important to me. Grace was having a terrible summer. I shouldn’t have wanted to flaunt Austin in her face.

Then again, a part of me always felt like I was below Grace. I knew that if a boy was to want to date one of us, it would’ve been her. She did have those two boyfriends, after all. It’s not that she ever made me feel that way, I just did. This was the first time I had something she didn’t.

The only caveat was that I had no idea how to get the picture. Like I said, sneaking it wasn’t working. Besides, even if I was successful I’d look like some crazy stalker if he caught me.

“Summer girl,” Austin interrupted my thoughts.

My face flamed as if he could read my mind. “Y-y-yeah.”

“Luca beat me at the game, so what do ya say the three of us get some ice cream?”

“Sure,” I answered, my gaze sliding over his shoulder to a smiling Luca. I giggled at his look of pure triumph.

“Cool, because I promised Mr. Video Game Champ over there a triple cone.” Austin pointed to Luca with his thumb, and Luca’s smile widened so large it looked like it might split his face in half.

“Wow. A triple cone, huh? You think Dad’ll be okay with that? We haven’t even had dinner,” I pointed out.

Luca shrugged, wrapping up the video game chords. “He’s busy working. We don’t even have to tell him.”

“Nice try.” Walking past him, I mussed his hair with my hand. It was sticky with sweat, and I winced. “I’ll go tell him, and I’ll be right back.” Leaving Austin and Luca in the family room, I sauntered through the kitchen toward the office. Dad’s voice floated under the door. Assuming he was on a work call, I pressed my back to the wall and waited. Blowing out a breath, I listened to him. But something about his tone caused the hairs on the back of my neck to prickle. Shoving off the wall, I moved closer to the office. The door was open a crack, and I peeked in. His chair faced away from his computer, and the screen saver was up, bubbles popping all over the screen. His lips were curled up at the corners like he was smiling, but he was talking so softly I couldn’t make out what he was saying. It seemed intense though. He swung his chair to the right by pushing on the ground with the toe of his shoe. I couldn’t move out of the way in time. He spotted me, his eyebrows shooting clear up to his forehead. After saying a swift goodbye, he clicked off his phone. Dropping it on his desk, he stood.

“Hey, Mina.” The casual smile he offered did nothing to erase the reminder of how he appeared a moment ago. Clearly, he hadn’t wanted me to know who was on the phone. As if sensing the question lingering on my tongue, he said, “Just a work call. What’s up?”

Studying him, I decided that he must have been telling the truth. Why would he lie? And it would make sense that he would seem intense talking about work. He loved it. It was his passion. Letting it go, I said, “Luca beat Austin in a video game and so Austin has to buy him a triple cone. That okay?”

Dad chuckled. “A triple cone, huh? Yeah, I guess it’s fine just this time. I still have a lot of work to do anyway, so we’ll have dinner late tonight.” Reaching into his pocket, he fished out his wallet. Yanking out a twenty, he thrust it into my hand. “Here you go. Get yourself a triple cone too.”

“Ugh.” I glanced down at my stomach. “I don’t think I need a triple cone.”

“You’re gorgeous, Mina,” Dad said, causing my cheeks to burn. “You can have as much ice cream as you want.”

“Thanks,” I mumbled, a little uncomfortable. But the truth was that I appreciated the comment. It made me feel more confident as I strutted into the family room to meet Austin.

“Triple cones it is,” I announced in response to Luca’s expectant expression.

“Yes!” Luca punched the air the way he always did when excited.
Oh, to be twelve when an ice cream cone was the thing you most desired.

Glancing briefly at Austin, my stomach fluttered like a million butterflies were swarming it. His ability to do this to me was unnerving, and I shook out my arms in an effort to calm myself. When he noticed, he raised one eyebrow.

“Getting geared up, huh?” He winked.

Face flaming, I lowered my head.

“Don’t worry. I’m not going to challenge you in an ice cream eating contest, summer girl. You can give that competitive streak of yours a rest for the night.”

This caused my face to heat up even more. It was true that I was competitive, but I hated that he thought that was all I was about.

“Besides, I’d totally beat you,” he added, and my head snapped up. “With a figure like that, I’m guessing you don’t usually eat triple cones.”

As he followed a chattering Luca out the front door, I stared after him, mouth gaping. It was the first compliment he’d given me about my looks, and my heart swelled. Smiling, I hurried after them.

***

Turns out, the triple cone was my answer.

On the way to the shop I’d told the boys I would get one, but once I saw Luca’s I was sure I could never eat that much ice cream. The three large scoops he ordered – vanilla, chocolate and mint chip – towered over his cone, precariously leaning to one side.

After Austin ordered his, he bobbed his head to me. “Your turn, summer girl. What three flavors are you getting?”

The cute girl working the ice cream counter was busy piling Austin’s choices on top of his cone. Luca was frantically licking at his ice cream to keep it from melting.

I shook my head. “I think I’ll play it safe and stick to one scoop.”

The girl behind the counter handed Austin his cone. When their fingers brushed, she smiled shyly, batting her eyelashes.
Oh, geez. Could she have been more obvious?
Austin didn’t seem to mind though. He was too busy throwing me an incredulous look.

“Wait? Did I hear that right?” With his free hand, he cupped his ear. “Did you just say you’re playing it safe? Since when does my summer girl play it safe?”

My heart flipped in my chest. It was cute enough when he called me “summer girl”, but when he tacked on the word “my,” it was almost too much.

“Since I don’t want to puke ice cream all over myself later tonight,” I responded.

“What can I get you?” The girl at the ice cream counter asked in a nasally voice.

“She’ll have a triple cone too,” Austin answered.

“No, I won’t,” I responded.

The girl’s hand hovered over the cones as if she had no idea what to do. Her gaze shifted between us, and I worried we were going to give her a mini panic attack.

“Come on, summer girl. You’re not gonna chicken out on me now, are you?” Austin asked before taking a giant bite out of his top scoop of ice cream. The bottom scoop was already melting down the cone.

“I’m not chickening out,” I insisted, glancing over at Luca. He was still trying and failing to keep his ice cream from melting.

“Bock, bock, bock.” Austin crowed, but didn’t flap his arms. Most likely for fear that he’d drop his cone.

The other patrons were gawking at us. My cheeks heated up.

“Fine,” I hissed. “I’ll get the three scoops.”

“So, a triple then?” The ice cream girl appeared relieved that we’d made a decision.

“Yeah.” I sighed. “Rocky road, strawberry and butter pecan.”

“Odd choices, summer girl.”

“What? Just because you’re boring?” I said dryly.

“Vanilla is classic,” he pointed out.

“You got three scoops of vanilla. Trust me, that’s not classic. That’s boring.” Ice cream girl handed me my cone, and I in turn handed her my money.

“No. Wait.” Austin walked up to the counter, standing so close to me that our shoulders brushed. “I owe Luca his.” He shoved some money into the ice cream girl’s hand. After she gave me my change, I started to spin around.

But Austin stopped me with his free hand. “Just for the record, ordering three scoops of vanilla doesn’t mean I’m boring. It means I know what I want, and I’m not afraid to ask for it.”

His words, coupled with the intensity of his stare, caused a shudder to ripple through me. However, when his easy smile returned, I decided I’d read too much into it. Clearly, it was just another one of his philosophies on life he loved to share.

When Austin and I joined Luca, his eyes widened. “You did get the cone, Mina!”

“Yeah.” I pointed to Austin. “Someone talked me into it.”

“Man, no one back home is ever going to believe that I ate this much ice cream,” Luca said, peering up at me. “And they’re definitely not going to believe you did.”

It was then that the idea struck. “Then why don’t we get a picture to prove it?”

“Yeah.” Luca nodded. Then his smile dipped, and he looked down at his sad cone. “But I already ate a lot of mine.”

“That’s okay. Austin and I still have ours almost all intact. And it’s obvious that you did have three scoops at one time. We’ll just get all of them in the picture, okay?” It couldn’t have gone better if I had planned it in advance. I pulled out my cell phone and held out my arm. “Okay. Let’s all squish in,” I motioned to Austin and Luca who were on either side of me. They both did as they were told. Once we were all in the frame, our ice cream cones positioned in front of us, I snapped the picture. Then I took a couple more just to be safe.

“Okay, Miss Selfie Queen,” Austin said, pulling back. “Let’s eat our ice cream before it melts. Besides, I don’t want to get sucked into your selfie lifestyle.” He glanced down at Luca. “Pretty soon she’ll have us doing duck faces.”

Luca giggled. “No way.”

“No way is right,” Austin agreed.

While they continued to tease me about my selfie addiction, I relished in the fact that I now had three very good pictures of Austin in my cell phone.